Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Sumter, SC: $62.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Sumter, SC runs $62.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $130,405 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Sumter's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,238 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sumter, South Carolina, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly pay of $62.69, which is lower than the national median of $73.02. This rate can significantly impact the financial well-being of part-time or per-diem controllers, who may work in various environments such as en route center radar consoles, TRACON facilities, or airport control towers. For someone working three days a week, this pay translates to a substantial income when compared strategically to full-time roles, especially considering the hourly wages can range from $36.36 for entry-level positions up to $90.18 for seasoned professionals in this critical field. These hourly figures are derived from annual salary predictions, reflecting a nuanced understanding of job compensation within the air traffic control profession in Sumter.
About the Sumter Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.36 | $290.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.15 | $361.21 |
| Median (P50) | $62.69 | $501.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.25 | $642.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.18 | $721.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sumter
Based on $62.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.69/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sumter, SC can expect to earn approximately $130,397 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,229. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sumter.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sumter
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,507.63 | $10,866 | $130,397 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,504.58 | $6,520 | $78,238 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,003.05 | $4,347 | $52,159 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Sumter) | $62.69 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
| Avionics Technician (National Avg) | $34.67 |
| Flight Attendant (National Avg) | $33.75 |
Air Traffic Controllers in Sumter, SC earn a median of $130,405 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.14% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.80% below the South Carolina state average of $136,981.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.69/hr = $78,238/year (purchasing power: $85,506).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $130,397/year (purchasing power: $142,510).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$50.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Sumter (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $53.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $54.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Sumter grew 20.4% from $50.76/hr (2019) to $61.12/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.30/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem air traffic controllers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sumter metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.57% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Sumter
Many controllers working part-time in Sumter will find that their hourly earnings can lead to differing financial outcomes compared to full-time staff. For instance, working a standard 3-day week, one could anticipate annual compensation reflecting around $78,810, while full-timers often earn significantly more. The structure of this occupation allows for opportunities in overtime, with controllers often clocking 50-60 hours per week, especially in facilities experiencing chronic staffing shortages. This can raise effective hourly wages substantially, as controllers earn 1.5 times their normal rate for additional hours worked. Further, the nature of employment varies across different types of employers in Sumter. While FAA en route centers and military facilities might provide comprehensive benefits and lower hourly pay, contract towers may offer higher rates without those same benefits. Controllers should weigh these elements carefully as they negotiate their compensation, especially considering their options within various hiring pipelines and facility tiers.
More salary data for Sumter, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Written by Jordan Lee, ATO
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience as an air traffic controller. He specializes in terminal area control at a major airport.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for air traffic controllers in Sumter. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Sumter is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.57%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for air traffic controllers (SOC 53-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov